Sanamahism

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Sanamahism is the worship of Sanamahi, the Creator aspect of Sidaba Mapu, the trinity God of the Meeteis. Sanamahism is one of the oldest sects of South Asia. It originated in Manipur, India and is mainly practiced by the Meeteis, Kabui, Zeliangrong and other communities who inhabit Manipur, Assam, Tripura, Uttar Pradesh, Myanmar and Bangladesh, with small populations in the United Kingdom, United States, and Canada.

Revivalism

Religion in Manipur is thought to have passed through three stages. P. 199 Social Movements in North-East India By Mahendra Narain Karna

According to the last census, about eleven percent of Manipur belong to religions stated as 'other'. Most of this population can be assumed to represent followers of the Sanamahi religion. This represents a significant increase over the previous census. The revivalism of Sanamahism is recognized by the census records of the government of India due to the praise worthy efforts of late R. K. Birendro Singh, I.A.S.

Attitude of indigenous people of Manipur to the religion and concept of God is not possible without the proper understanding of Sanamahi religion. Pakhangba Laining was also currently employed to signify revivalism.

Form of Worship

In assimilate features such as the worship of forces of nature like fire, water, mountain etc. ancestor worship (Apokpa), Lamlai, Yumlai, Ningthoulai and Umanglai. Religion of antiquity - in its pure native form it is as all as the history of Meetei/Meitei people.

Deities worshiped

There is reference to the worship of Sanamahi by King Kangba in the Hayi age. Manipur is a land of deities with Atiya Shidaba as the Supreme God.

Atiya Shidaba, Apanba and Asheeba are the three manifestations or incarnations of God as the creator, the preserver and the annihilator of this universe respectively. Pakhangba, Sannamahi and Nongpok Ningthou are the incarnations who play the role of the male deities of the Meiteis whereas Leimarel Shidabi and Panthoibi, the role of female deities.

Panthoibi is the Mother of the Universe and Nongpok Ningthou is her mate. Besides these, three hundred and sixty four deities with their consorts are the most important deities worshipped by the Meiteis.

The Plain Kabui are observed in worship of Sanamahi and Ima Leimarel.

Sanamahi (also known as Aseeba) has a creator brother (like him) named Pakhangba (Konjin Tukthapa).

Food offerings

Devout Meeteis offer food at sacred spots daily.

Festivals

Cheiraoba

Cheiraoba is the New Year's Day for Meetei and is observed every year on Sajibu nongma panba (mostly in the month of April). During this occasion, Meetei houses are renovated and white washed to mark the New Year's Day. The householders offer fresh vegetables, fresh fish and cook vegetarian food to offer to gods and goddesses. In the afternoon, young boys and girls climb a small hillock called "Cheiraoching" to pay floral tribute to the statue of meetei freedom fighter. On the day of meetei new year/cheiraoba, each and every family prepared many special curry/items and after offering to the gods and goddesses, the items are exchange with our relatives which is called as Mathel Lanba. It is believed that on the day of new year everybody should be healthy so that the whole year will be healthy i.e. why it is must to climb the nearest hill to digest whatever the items/curry taken on that day. Again prior to the day of cheiraoba/meitei new year, there is a custom that a married women should present a gift to her father and her brothers.

Lai Haraoba

Lai Haraoba is the festival of the recollection of the creation stories played by all deities with the first origin of this universe and evolution of the plants and animals through the will of Atiya Shidaba. Sannamahi and Leimarel are worshiped in every house of the Meiteis and other mentioned Indigenous community of Manipur and nearby states including Mayanmar. The other gods and the 364 deities are worshipped in the Umanglai Laisangs (temple of gods in the reserved woods with spacious grounds) in the villages.

Threats

In the 18th century, under King Meidingu Pamheiba, the sacred writings of Sanamahi religion, the Puyas, were collected and burned in front of the Kangla which is the sacred placed of the Meitei and all the Sanamahi scholars were expelled to remote villages.. This took place on 17th day of Mera (October)in 1732 in front of the Kangla Uttra and the Meitei were forcibly converted to Hinduism by the king. However after the revivalism of Sanamahism, the day is remembered by the 2.5 million Meitei as "puya meithaba" and consider as the saddest day in the history of Manipur.

Later in the 19th century mass conversion of the Hill tribes to Christianity began.

References

External links

Meeteis Surname

The Revivalism of Sanamahism

Sohini Ray "2000-01" The Body-Cult in Sanamahism: A Case of the Revival of an Indigenous Religion Among the Meiteis in Manipur is an ethnographic study of the sacred myths about the human body among the Meiteis, a community in Northeast India, and on how these mythological beliefs play a pivotal role in a socio-religious revival movement now occurring in the community. Sohini Ray recently received her Ph.D. in anthropology from the University of California, Los Angeles.

Category:Hindu denominations Category:Religion in India Category:Religious faiths, traditions, and movements Category:Tantra Category:Manipuri culture

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